Furniture bracket



June 22, 1965 s. WILF 3,190,598

FURNITURE BRACKET Filed Nov. 1, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W w'gw Mak June 22, 1965 s. WlLF FURNITURE BRACKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1963 INVENTOR. S14 M UL United States Patent 3,190,598 FURNITURE BRACKET Samuel Wiif, 361 N. Highland Ave, Marion, Pa. Filed Nov. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 320,716 it! Claims. (Cl. 248-488) This invention relates to means for attaching elongated members to items of furniture or the like and concerns particularly a table leg bracket or similar article.

It is conventional to secure legs to the underside of a table top by means of collar-like brackets that surround and grip the legs (one each) and are secured to the table by screw or the like. through appropriate flanges on the brackets. As many table legs are tapered and of varying cross-section (round, oval, square, etc.) many sizes and shapes of such conventional brackets are required. A V- shaped brace secured at its ends to the table and at its bight to the leg may be used for increased rigidity and strength.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of leg-attaching means independent of the crosssectional shape of the leg.

Another object is provision of a leg-attaching bracket for use with a canted leg.

A further object is provision of a bracket readily attachable to and removable from a table leg or the like independently of attachment of the bracket to the table.

Other objects of the present invention, together with means and methods for attaining the various objects, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a bracket according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the same bracket installed on the bottom of a table top;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation corresponding to the side elevation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation corresponding to the preceding elevational views taken from different locations;

FIG. 6 is a bottom sectional plan taken at VIVI of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional plan similar to FIG. 6 but taken through a wooden leg.

In general, the objects of the present invention are ac complished by means of a bracket comprising a seat portion adapted to be secured to an item of furniture, a second, generally planar portion adapted to extend through an opening in a leg and to be clinched upon protruding therefrom on the opposite side of the leg, and a junction portion interconnecting the other two portions. Particular bracket configurations are contemplated as described below.

FIG. 1 shows, in side elevation, bracket 11 having a generally U-shaped appearance in this transverse view, top arm 12 of the U being somewhat longer than bottom arm 14 thereof and terminating in flange 15 ofiset at an acute angle to seat portion 16, which parallels the bottom arm. Interconnecting portion 13 of the bracket is fiat and joins both arms at substantially a right angle. Openings 17 and 18 (one each in this view) for screws or other fastening means appear in the flange and seat portions of the upper arm. Free end or terminal 19 of the lower arm is shown in solid lines parallel to the seat portion of the upper arm and with an alternative position in broken lines angled toward the upper arm.

FIG. 2 shows bracket 11 in bottom plan. It is apparent that while upper arm 12 is generally rectangular lower arm 14 is much narrower (as well as shorter) and tapered toward free end 19 thereof. Interconnecting portion 13 is shown as wide as the upper arm.

FIGS. 3, 4-, and 5 show, in side, front, and rear elevation, respectively, bracket 11 of the preceding views installed to secure leg 22 to the underside of table top 21. Added V-brace 24 also interconnects the leg and the table top. Top end 23 of the leg abuts seat portion 16 of the upper arm of the bracket. Free end 19 of the lower arm of the bracket extends from slot 20 through the leg and is bent upward at about forty-five degrees thereto. Interconnecting portion 13 of the bracket is contiguous with the side of the leg from the slot to the top end. Consequently, the leg is secured to the table top by the bracket and is canter outward because angled offset flange 15 of the upper arm prevents seat portion 16 from resting flush against the adjacent surface of the table top. Screws 27 secure the flange, and screws 28 the seat portion, of the bracket to the underside of the table top. Angled ends 25 of the V-brace and the midportion thereof are secured by screws 29 and screw 30, respectively, to the table top and the leg.

FIG. 6 shows, in bottom plan (partly in section) the installation shown in the three views last mentioned, taken as indicated on FIG. 3. Leg 22 is of tubular metal construction, as previously shown. FIG. 7 is a similar view showing a like installation of wooden leg 32, which has a solid square cross-section instead of the hollow round section of leg 22.

Installation of the bracket of this invention or of a leg by means of such bracket is readily understood. The leg may be secured to the bracket either before or after the bracket is fastened (by screws or other suitable means) to the underside of the table top or other item of furniture. In either event, the leg having been slotted appropriately in any suitable manner during or after manufacture, the leg and bracket are juxtaposed with lower arm 14 extending through the slot and the side of the leg resting against interconnecting portion 13 of the bracket. Free end 19 of that arm of the bracket protrudes from the slot on the opposite side of the leg in position to be bent, clinched, or similarly deformed to secure the leg in place, which may be done by hitting the free end with a hammer or bending it with any appropriate gripping tool. The leg may be released subsequently by restoring the deformed end of the bracket arm to its original position.

As is apparent, the bracket of this invention is useful irrespective of the component material of the leg, and of whether the leg is solid or hollow, its cross-sectional shape and (to a reasonable extent) its size as well. The bracket is readily fabricated from suitable metal, for example, by simple mechanical stamping and forming operations, or it may be cast if desired. The width and taper of the portion that engages the leg through the appropriate slot therein may be varied also. The angle of the offset flange may be increased to increase the canting of the leg or eliminated for a vertical leg. Of course, the V-brace shown may be eliminated, with or without substitution of additional bracing means. While the illustrated and described embodiment is preferred, the invention is defined only as claimed below.

The claimed invention:

1. Bracket for attaching a leg to furniture or the like, comprising a seat portion adapted to rest at its one face against an item of furniture and to be secured thereto and to rest at its opposite face against one end of a leg for the item of furniture, a second, generally planar portion adapted to extend substantially parallel to and spaced from the seat portion and through an opening in a leg and adapted to be bent upon protruding therefrom on the opposite side to secure a leg, and a junction portion extending generally perpendicular to and interconnecting the other two portions and adapted to rest against the side of a leg.

2. Bracket for attaching a leg to furniture or the like, comprising a seat portion adapted to be fastened to an item of furniture and to receive an end of a leg thereagainst, a leg-securing portion interconnected to the seat portion and spaced therefrom and adapted to extend through a slot in a leg and protrude therefrom with the end of a leg against the seat portion, with the part adapted to protrude from the slot in a leg adapted to be bent to secure a leg, and an interconnecting portion of the bracket resting against the part of a leg between the end and the slot.

3. Bracket for attaching a canted leg to furniture or the like, comprisnig a seat portion adapted to be fastened to an item of furniture and to receive an end of a canted leg thereagainst, the part contiguous with the end of a leg adapted to be angled with respect to an adjacent surface of an item of furniture, a leg-securing portion interconnected to the seat portion and adapted to extend through a slot in the leg and protrude therefrom with the end of a leg against the seat portion, with the part adapted to protrude from the slot in a leg adapted to be bent to secure a leg, and an interconnecting portion of the bracket resting against the part of a leg between the end and the slot.

4. In combination, a leg for furniture or the like and a bracket therefor, the leg having a slot extending transversely therethrough spaced near the end to be attached, the bracket having a seat portion abutting the end of the leg and a portion extending from the seat portion alongside the leg and an arm extending through the slot, part of the extending arm protruding from the slot and being deformed to secure the leg to the bracket.

5. in combination, a table top or like item of furniture, a leg therefor, the leg having a slot extending transversely therethrough spaced near the end attached to the item of furniture, an attaching bracket having a seat portion abutting the end of the leg, an intermediate portion extending from the seat portion contiguous with the side of the leg, and a portion extending from the intermediate portion and through the slot, part of the extending portion protruding from the slot and being deformed to secure the leg in place, and fastening means securing the bracket to the item of furniture.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein the portion adapted to extend through an opening in a leg is narrower than the seat portion and tapers toward its free end.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the seat portion of the bracket has a flange extending therefrom on the opposite side thereof from said interconnecting portion and offset away from the plane of the seat portion.

8. In combination, a leg for furniture or the like and a removable bracket therefor, the leg having a slot extending transversely therethrough spaced near the end to be attached, the bracket having a seat portion abutting the end of the leg and a portion extending from the seat portion alongside the leg and an arm extending through the slot, part of the extending arm protruding from the slot and being deformed to secure the leg to the bracket, the deformed protruding part of the arm being adapted to be redeformed to its original undeformed position for re moval from the slot, whereupon the leg and the bracket may be separated.

9. In combination, a bracket for a furniture leg or other elongated member for attachment to an item of furniture, said elongated member having a slot extending transversely therethrough spaced near the end to be attached, the bracket having a seat portion abutting the end of the member and a portion extending from the seat portion alongside the member and an arm extending through the slot, part of the extending arm protruding from the slot and being deformed to secure the member to the bracket.

10. In combination, a table top or like item of furniture, and an attachable leg or other elongated member therefor, the member having a slot extending transversely therethrough spaced near the end attachable to the item of furniture, an attaching bracket having a seat portion abutting the end of the member, an intermediate portion extending from the seat portion contiguous with a side of the member, and an arm portion having a free end extending from the intermediate portion and through the slot, the free end of the extending arm portion protruding from the slot and being deformed to secure the member in place, the deformed protruding free end of the extending arm portion being adapted to be redeformed to its original undeformed position for removal from the slot, whereupon the member and the bracket may be separated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,679 9/97 Zwiesler 287-20 956,983 5/10 Laun 248264 2,483,813 10/49 Davis l610 2,755,114 7/56 Becker 287-20 2,880,047 3/59 Haag 248188 2,973,982 3/61 Elting 287-114 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. BRACKET FOR ATTACHING A LEG TO FURNITURE OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A SEAT PORTION ADAPTED TO REST AT TS ONE FACE AGAINST AN ITEM OF FURNITURE AND TO BE SECURED THERETO AND TO REST AT ITS OPPOSITE FACE AGAINST ONE END OF A LEG FOR THE ITEM OF FURNITURE, A SECOND, GENERALLY PLANAR PORTION ADAPTED TO EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND SPACED FROM THE SEAT PORTION AND THROUGH AN OPENING IN A LEG AND ADAPTED TO BE BENT UPON PROTRUDING THEREFROM ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO SECURE A LEG, AND A JUNCTION PORTION EXTENDING GENERALLY PERIPENDICULARLY TO AND INTERCONECTING THE OTHER TWO PORTIONS AND ADAPTED TO REST AGAINST THE SIDE OF A LEG. 